Sharp County record., 1887-02-10
"SIGNALING A LYNX"
How It Broke UP a Western Love-
Match.

"Rawlington Plains" is awide stretch
of country where once stood pine
forest. For several successive years
resistless fire had gone over it, leav-
ing, as its only arborial growth, an in
frequent sprinkling of scrubby oak
bushes. The soil was light and sandy,
and, to the depth of several inches, it
was black, with mixture of pine
ashes and cinderS. Yet, despite these
unalluring attributes, there had arisen
few pioneers possessing sufficient
courage, perseverance and faith in their
own skill, to establish thems elves upon
these plains, and to till with all hope
fulness the apparently uninviting soil.
Surrounding this unpromising tract,
were vast pine forests, where, during
the long, cold and snowy winter, re-
sounded the woodman's axe and saw,
and the teamster's lusty call. But in
the summer the green depths gave
forth no sound save those from birds
and insects, and the tinkling bells on
slowly grazing cows. There were, in
those parts, no verdant meadows, nor
upland pastures where the grazing herd
could stand knee-deep in the sweet
scented clover or waving timothy grass.
The spicy pine woods thus became
their pasture lot wherein they strolled,
exploring. To find these COWS at the [
close of day, to discover that the bell
of the sought-for herd was among
them to reach them when located, and
to separate the desired herd from the
others, was often difficult task, re-
uuiring a quick ear and skilful horse
manship.
Among those who had on these plains
permanently planted their homestead
tree, were two brothers, Daniel and
Robert Purl Their lands farms they
could scarcely yet be called) joined,
and the two houses were but short
distance apart The cows and young
cattle belonging to Daniel Purl, the
elder brother, were six in number, and
with these the one gentle COW of Robert
kept steadfast company, consequently
the task of bringing home this branch
of the rowing herd devolved upon some
one in Daniel Purl's household. His
wife having few family cares, and 1naS
sessing also those rarooCfts among
y women. Qrace.nud skill in equestrian
ism, aelighted in riding forth on this
sometimes fruitless quest. One cool
September evening, as the twilight was
coming on, horses swift feet beat
upon the road that passed the house of
Robert Purl. Mrs. Purl ran to the win
dow, but was too late to discern either
the horse or its rider She looked up |
at the rapidly-darkening sky where a
few pale stars were glimmering.
'1f that was LOU" she thought ap
prehensively, "there will be no cows
tonight; she is too late to find them"
The moments passed. The supper
waited the coming of Mr.. Purl. The
room grew quiet Sleep held the baby
boy, while the other two children bent
absorbed over a new book. The tea
kettle from the coolest corner of the
stove sang lazily, the canary bird
swinging, half-sleeping in his swing,
caused the wires to give forth low,
monotonous creaking. Mrs, Purl
sewed in silence.
Suddenly, there fell upon this SEMI
stiffness a high, piercing cry that
seemed rent from the heart of the black
pine forest Swiftly there came to Mrs.
Purl remembrance of the hurrying
horse and its rider, and, repressing the
impulse to express her fears, she ran to
the widow and looked out. The sky
was heavily clOuded, not the
faintest twinkling star was
visible. While she stood thus,
listening, trembling, expectant, again
came the cry, high, shrill, echoing. The
children now began to cry with fear
Again and again the cries rent the air,
and Mrs. Purl could only run from
window to window and attempt to re-
assure the frightened children. After
awhile the cries ceased, and, although
they held their breaths in intense ex-
pectation of their renewal, the quiet
continued SO long that they hoped it
was permanent and gratefully resumed
their occupations. In the midst of this
lull, greatly to their joy, Mr.. Purl en-
tered. They all sprang to meet him
and piled him with questions.
Yes, he had heard the cries, but dis
tantly. 1t was probably some one hal